Joining

Very soon, the masks on their faces shattered, their clothes were reduced to tatters, and blood continually seeped from their wounds.

"Hmph, what a bunch of trash. You're not even qualified to make me use ninjutsu!" Yan snorted coldly and stopped attacking.

The four Root ninjas had already collapsed to the ground, completely incapable of fighting.

Yakushi Nonō looked at the scene before her, her heart filled with complicated emotions.

She had no idea whether Uchiha Yan's appearance was a blessing or a curse for her!

Yan dusted off his spotless clothes, then turned to Yakushi Nonō. The coldness on his face eased slightly as he smiled.

"Interested in working together?"

"Working together?" Yakushi Nonō frowned, somewhat bewildered. "What do you mean?"

Yan pointed at the Root ninjas behind him, who were clutching their heads and rolling around on the ground, and said, "I beat up the ninjas Danzō sent after you. You definitely can't go back to Root now, and even if you do, things won't end well for you."

"Besides, I know him well. No matter how much you've done for him, he'll never trust you. He'll always see you as a potential threat."

"Why not follow me instead? The benefits will definitely be good, and you won't have to fight and kill."

Yakushi Nonō gave a bitter laugh after hearing that. "Do I have the right to refuse?"

"Of course you do!" Yan replied with a smile. "But you'd better think carefully about how you'll keep this orphanage running after you've lost Root's trust."

"Then I don't have a choice after all, do I?" Yakushi Nonō closed her eyes, as though she had resigned herself to fate.

Yan shrugged at that and offered no further explanation.

Facts spoke louder than words!

The Uchiha Clan lacked no powerful fighters, and the Ninja Cat Clan handled intelligence.

Yakushi Nonō's greatest use to him was improving the medical services within the Special Zone.

She truly would not need to fight or kill, and she would live quite comfortably as well.

"If I join you, what will happen to the orphanage?" Yakushi Nonō quickly adjusted her mindset.

Since she had no choice, she might as well maximize her benefits.

"Move all of it into the Uchiha Special Zone!" Yan answered seriously. "I'll prepare a plot of land specifically for you to build a large orphanage."

"Gather all the orphans in the Special Zone. The Special Zone will cover all expenses, so you won't have to pay out of pocket."

"Really?" Yakushi Nonō could hardly believe what she had heard.

Konoha had always viewed war orphans with suspicion, treating them as potential spies.

Building an orphanage specifically to gather them in, with the upper ranks covering the expenses—she had never even dared to imagine such a thing.

"Of course it's true!" Yan nodded. "These orphans have lived through war. Their minds are far more mature than ordinary people's, and they understand gratitude better."

"If they study seriously, they'll grow much faster than others. Perhaps great talents in every field may emerge among them in the future."

"And all I need to pay is a tiny, insignificant sum of money. Why wouldn't I do it?"

At that, a trace of emotion appeared on Yakushi Nonō's face.

She did not know whether Uchiha Yan was telling the truth, but at least she could see his sincerity.

"Alright, I'll go to the Special Zone with you!" Yakushi Nonō nodded, accepting Yan's offer.

Yan smiled faintly. "Your future self will thank you for today!"

Then he waved his hand, and seven or eight Uchiha ninjas instantly sprang out from behind him.

"They'll help you relocate the orphanage, but you'd best move quickly, in case Shimura Danzō loses his mind and tries to cause trouble."

"As for those lying on the ground, deal with them however you see fit. I'll be leaving first."

With that, Yan turned and left without waiting for Yakushi Nonō's response.

The Uchiha ninjas entered the house with Kabuto and packed up everything at the fastest possible speed.

Yakushi Nonō remained standing at the doorway, struggling inwardly as she stared blankly at the Root ninjas still screaming on the ground.

Before long, the confusion in her eyes turned into resolve.

Is this a token of allegiance, or...

Forget it. It doesn't matter!

Though she thought that, her footsteps slowly and resolutely carried her toward the four Root ninjas.

At some point, a shuriken had appeared in her hand, its cold, razor-sharp gleam flashing beneath the sunlight.

Hokage's Office.

The sky had gradually darkened, but the room was brightly lit.

Several figures sat inside, breaking into heated arguments from time to time as though debating something.

"Hiruzen, we can't keep indulging the Uchiha Clan like this!" Shimura Danzō roared at Sarutobi Hiruzen, spittle flying everywhere.

"Just look at what they're doing now!"

Utatane Koharu chimed in, "Yes, Hiruzen. I never expected Uchiha Yan to be so capable. We can't get a hand in on any of the Special Zone's affairs at all."

"Exactly!" Mitokado Homura nodded along. "We didn't gain any say in the Business Alliance either. And I heard they're planning to establish some kind of Industry and Commerce Bureau specifically to manage the shops in the Special Zone."

Hearing his old friends' grave voices, Sarutobi Hiruzen wiped his face and let out a soft sigh.

"Danzō, Yan, Koharu, I understand your concerns, but now really isn't the time. Otherwise, I wouldn't have agreed to Uchiha Yan's conditions in the first place."

"Cloud Village also seems to have gotten wind of it. They've been probing the border constantly, causing considerable casualties."

"Sand Village is no different. They're deeply dissatisfied with the terms of defeat they signed after the shinobi war. They're just waiting for Konoha to fall into chaos so they can take advantage of it."

"A civil war... must not break out at a time like this!"

Hearing this, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura found it awkward to keep pressuring Sarutobi Hiruzen.

After all, they knew Konoha's situation well enough.

Since White Fang's death, one of the Sannin's defection and the other two's departure, and the deaths of the Fourth and his wife, the vast Konoha was now supported only by the aging Sarutobi Hiruzen.

If not for the lingering deterrence of the Shinobi Hero's reputation, as well as the uncertain situation regarding the Nine-Tails and the foundation provided by the many forbidden jutsu left behind by the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, the other major nations might have already invaded their borders.

What they had said earlier was merely venting their frustrations.

If it really came to fighting, they wouldn't dare either!

Thus, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura could only sigh before rising and leaving the Hokage's office.

Looking at Shimura Danzō, who was still in the room, Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his hand.

"Danzō, you should leave too."

Shimura Danzō wanted to say something after hearing that. "Hiru—"

But Sarutobi Hiruzen quickly cut him off. "Leave. I want to be alone!"

Bang!

Shimura Danzō flung the office door shut and left as well.

Only after everyone had gone did Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly rise and walk into a hidden chamber within the office.

Only one item was stored here—the highest secret of Konoha.

The Scroll of Sealing!

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the forbidden book before him and murmured, "Teacher, don't blame me. I have no choice."

He then turned to one of its pages.

Several large words were written prominently at the top.

'Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu!'